A PCP that understands?

Hi guys!   I have really appreciated all the help you guys have provided me.  It has been really hard being so far away from my surgeon, and you guys are always here to help me out.  I was wondering if anyone could recommend a primary care physician that will be understanding to a post-surgery patient.  Right before my surgery I had to switch PCPs (mine moved), and the one I went to told me I was taking the easy way out, that I was too young, and that I shouldn't do the surgery.  This was about a week before my surgery date.  Needless to say, I didn't go back to her.  However, I don't really want to go through that again.  I was wondering if any of y'all know a PCP who has been understanding to bariatric patients and supportive, and who has experience with our myriad of possible complications.  Please let me know!  Thanks again for all the help. Cynthia

I go to Melanie Greene, her office is on Patewood. I was afraid to tell her I was thinking about surgery, but when I did she was very supportive. She is young with two childred and seems to be really nice. I don't care for her office staff, but everything else has been great.

Dr. Daryl Laperolyrie is a great internist and he was supportive of the surgery.  He is in the same office as Dr Greene.  Their # is 454-2226.  They are affiliated with the GHS system which is convenient for Dr Bour because they can both access your labwork, etc if you've had the labs drawn at  the GHS pharmacy.  Dr Lappy (as he is affectionately called) is very thorough and spends time with you and listens to you.  I highly recommend him (and Melanie Greene too)!   Good luck! melanie

Cynthia, I am guessing you are in the upstate?  If you were near Charleston, I loved, loved my doc.   He was SOOOO Understanding, and would pretty much do/give me anything I wanted.   Once when my kittie of 10 yrs had to be put to sleep, after I raised her from a newborn, bottle feeding etc....he was sooo kind and prescribed me some sleeping pills because I just could not rest and was just so distraught. He also was 100% behind my plastics in Mexico and also when we moved to California last year, he told me anything I needed until I found a doctor, he would write me a script for.  I just loved, loved that man. SO, anyone in Charleston wanting a great internist, his name is John McDonald, and he is at the MUSC family practice in Mt Pleasant, on Iron Bridge Road.   Carolina Family Care. Great doc!! I am sooo blessed that I found another doc out here who is just as good, if not better.  She is a lady, and my first female doc.  The first time I met her, with my son who was also getting seen and established, she asked me to leave the room to talk to him, and it sorta perturbed me, but he was 18, and then after a couple of more visits and then having all the problems I have had with my bile duct, she was wonderful. I was so scared to tell her I was having plastic surgery in Mexico, but when I went to her for pre op tests and pain meds and antibiotics to take with me for my Lower Body Lift, she was VERY supportive and happy for me.  She even took care of me afterwards to make sure the incisions were not infected, and she said she was very happy with the surgery, and that he did such a wonderful job, she may want to go to him. I have given out his info in the office and hospital because of what she said about Dr Fuentes, and he has gotten a lot of referrals from me, for nurses and others at the clinic because he did such a good job, and because she spoke highly of him.   (He did his residency in the USA and fellowship with a great plastic surgeon in Beverly Hills). When I had so much trouble getting a doctor to do my bile duct surgery, she set up the consult for me to see Dr Whitgrove, in LaJolla, Carnie Wilson's gastric bypass surgeon.  She has supported me in everything, and even offered more pain meds if I need more after surgery on this coming Thursday....Thigh Lift, my last plastic surgery with Dr Fuentes for a while.  I might get my arms done next year sometime, but not rushing it really. Anyway, I digress!  Sorry!! I hope you find a great doc!  I found that if I go to a bigger University type system like MUSC, and I am at UCI now, University California Irvine Med Center, they have a medical school, nursing school, and are world renown, places like that, that teach, I have found that I find more supportive docs there, and they all can talk to one another because they are linked, my pcp's office is about 30 minutes from the main campus, but they are all related, so getting referrals, surgeries, etc...is easier. I am having my bile duct surgery again on Oct 2nd.  She called the other day, Dr Chow my pcp, just to say that if I am okay with the surgery, then she is too. Try to find a big system like that.....you find that the docs are a little more comfortable with doing more outside things.  LIke if you want referrals to plastics guys, or gastric bypass, and if you have any complication, they will get right on it and get you seen. Anyway, I hope my rambling has helped you some.....I will definitely pray you find a good CARING doc, which is the most important...someone who will listen and do things that are right, and not be all worried about patients suing them or holding back care, because they just don't have time for their patients.  One of the reasons I hate to think to move, is because I would risk losing her. :) Good Luck!!  Sorry so long :( Deb

Thanks, Everyone!  I really appreciate the advice.  I am in the upstate, so Charleston would probably be a little far away for me to drive.  I am going to call Dr. Greene and Dr. Lappy today!  Thanks!

I see Dr Danny Grover at IMA of Greenville which is where Dr Bour used to work before he went to the GHS system . I also used to work at that office and like all the docs there. 242-4683 if you need the number!

Patti

Hi!  Turns out Dr.s Greene and Laperolyrie are not on my insurance, but Dr. Grover is.  Thank you for the tip!